1995 Esprit S4S - My valentine

1995 Esprit S4S - My valentine

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s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Tuesday 14th February 2012
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s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Wednesday 15th February 2012
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gforceg said:
That looks fantastic! Nice one. Lose the chavved plate though. You don't need that to make an impression.
The plate was a prezzie and I like it, only people who already know its an Esprit notice the plate so no real worries wink

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Wednesday 15th February 2012
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Tiger Tim said:
I used to work for Lovetts Cheltenham in the service dept and remember my first trip out in an Esprit. Amazing.. just watch for the gearboxes getting lunched! Renault I think...

The only thing I remember is the gearstick being pretty wobbly and not very positive. Whether or not it was down to a duff one I don't know.

Absolutely stunning though smile
Thanks smile

2nd gear lost a tooth a while back...now replaced biggrin

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Wednesday 15th February 2012
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Thanks for all the comments guys....I'll post updates on here as and when.

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Wednesday 15th February 2012
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robsco said:
Lose the plate and it would be near perfect.
I cant, I'd hate to break the Law....A numberplate is a legal requirement winkwinksmile

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Wednesday 15th February 2012
quotequote all
fesuvious said:
That was my thought too. Personally I think we should scrap the sex offenders register and replace it with a 'plate offenders register'. Or....can we bring back capital punishment?
No guys you're right, I'll change the plate and stick to 70 mph on the motorway from now on. The law is the law we can't choose the ones we like wink

The ironic thing 'Baryonyx' is that you appear to have a Double height i.e illegal ... but correctly spaced ....plate but hey ho I'm over it......honest


Edited by s4s1995 on Wednesday 15th February 19:22

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Thursday 16th February 2012
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mrdelmonti said:
I wouldn't go down that route, it's an import and therefore perfectly legal.

On a brighter note that's a lovely car you have thumbup
Was only jesting, as you say they are legal on Jap imports.

Thanks for the comment on the car biggrin

Hopefully that can be the end of the numberplate saga. Some like..some hate...and that's fine by me


s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Thursday 15th March 2012
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Only 15 days till I take the Esprit out of Hibernation....Then it's off for it's yearly Service & MOT

While it's there I'll be treating it to a New Rad, HT Leads and De-Cat pipe, If any Esprit owners happen to have a spare EBPV even if broken please let me know biggrin (need it as I gutted the previous one and welded it to the CAT...I need another to fit the De-Cat doh!!)


s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Thursday 15th March 2012
quotequote all
fesuvious said:
Gorgeous

MSD Coils, + Five-O injectors will make a monstrous difference ;-)

I MISS MY ESPRIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Which MSD-Coils/Five-O injectors? Model numbers/source biggrin?

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Saturday 17th March 2012
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fesuvious said:
Five-O Motorsport for the injectors
(just google for it - can't [provide a link due to internet access issues)
They were @160 inc shipping.

Then, call Magnecour directly and get a set of KV85 ignition leads - @90

Then, MSD Coils. I think the model number is 8224. These were @100 I think, shipped from the states.

The difference this will make is utterly staggering.

However, on the inside lid you'll see a vacumn diagram showing the vac lines. You absolutely must rip this lot out, inspect thoroughly and refit otherwise you'll never see a full benefit. One main weakpoint; You'll see one vac line heads into the drivers side area behind the removeable plastic panel. This goes to the map sensor. There is a small 'elbow' join by the sensor that is VERY prone to cracking.

While you are there trace the lines to the boost sensor/unit for the boost guage. The Esprit converts the boost pressure to an electronic signal for the dashboard boost guage. Check these lines too, also, check the quality and cleanliness of the electrical connectors, then, you can trust the dash guage a bit more!

If you haven't bought one yet; Get the patch lead from BiBs on the Lotus forums and get the Freescan software and learn how to use it. It is invaluable if you care for your Esprit.

Secondary advice;
Change the boost actuator - it'll be old and have gone weak - the part is circa fifty quid depending on where bought from.

EBPV (exhaust bypass valve) disconnect, fix it open. Block off the vac line running to it. Or, do what I did and remove the solenoid and the system that runs to it - I later fabricated my own exhaust that removed it entirely from the system.

The injectors, leads, and coils, along with ensuring vac lines and actuator are 'spot on' will give you an Esprit that would spin the rear wheels in third gear on anything other than a bone dry road. Id estimate, sensibly power to be @340BHP but the delivery, pickup, and throttle response not too mention sheer punch will be off the scale compared to now.
Thanks, I'm on it!





Edited by s4s1995 on Saturday 17th March 19:15

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
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Thanks for all the advice, it is very very welcome!

Before this thread, I have had the bottom end rebuilt with new pistons and liners, new clutch, Ram-Air Mod, K'n'N panel Filter, EPBV Valve removed and Iridium Plugs, also have a De-Cat pipe sat next to the hibernating S4S biggrin. I'm not going to fit the HT leads myself (looks impossible!!! without chargecooler removal :s) ... its going to Sportomotive in Salisbury at the end of the month. I'm happy to save knuckle skin and loose wedge ... it will disappear in the noise of Service, MOT and New Rad.

The turbo and EPBV nuts and bolts were all removed (quite easily) by my good self last october when fitting my modded EBPV (gutted and welded to the CAT).

Do you recall the demensions of the Vac lines. 4mm, 5mm etc?

I have two Loti in the family so am already hooked up to Freescan over USB (used it with Elanscan for my wife's M100 SE Turbo) seems to work a treat, although so far I dont have any issues to track down it appears biggrin




Edited by s4s1995 on Sunday 18th March 10:15

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Sunday 18th March 2012
quotequote all
fesuvious said:
Indeed

Best time to do the leads is with new injectors.

The injectors will also smooth out the idle considerably. And improve pickup low down.

Love the elan!

My user name on the lotus forums is the same as here, might be worth hunting out some of my old posts as I think I posted photos and details up
Ta!

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Sunday 22nd April 2012
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The Esprit is now back from it's visit to Sportomotive biggrin

MSD Coils, genuine Lotus HT leads, 'A' Service, fresh MOT and a new uprated SS Framed three core RAD.

Just the small matter of 8 more days till its taxed, hey ho with this weather I can wait. For now I just have to do with looking at it in the rain biggrin







s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Monday 23rd April 2012
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fesuvious said:
Just tax it you tight git

You're saving what? £15?

Tax it and use her.
Its not the £15 its the extra month of driving, I'm not swapping 8 wet April days for a sunny sunny October (no snow please!) biggrin

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Saturday 3rd January 2015
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Wow three years since my last update, probably worth documenting my changes and repairs biggrin

Early 2013

To easy breathing and to improve the sound, I invested in a Stainless Exhaust



when fitting I noticed that the exhaust hangers were knackered



new ones purchased



August 2013

Serious issue with Turbo, lots n lots of smoke and no boost...Turbo blown!











Turbo sent off to Turbo Technics for a rebuild and 360 degree bearing upgrade, while waiting I decided to clean the gearbox housing

before



after



After less than a week the turbo was back looking great!











Quick Engine clean before putting back together



Refit turbo time :/











Car currently needs a new manifold due to a small crack should be sorted in next couple of weeks, in the meantime here a a few pics taken today













Edited by s4s1995 on Saturday 3rd January 13:58

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Saturday 3rd January 2015
quotequote all
sherbertdip said:
fesuvious said:
Looking beautiful
I agree. However as cars get older and more scarce I'm a firm believer in putting/keeping it's correct year plate which then becomes a badge of honour, please lose the ste plate.
biggrin My car and I like it, I understand and in time may agree biggrin, If you fancy contributing to running costs you get a say, fair?


Edited by s4s1995 on Saturday 3rd January 14:59

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Saturday 3rd January 2015
quotequote all
sherbertdip said:
s4s1995 said:
sherbertdip said:
fesuvious said:
Looking beautiful
I agree. However as cars get older and more scarce I'm a firm believer in putting/keeping it's correct year plate which then becomes a badge of honour, please lose the ste plate.
biggrin My car and I like it, I understand and in time may agree biggrin, If you fancy contributing to running costs you get a say, fair?


Edited by s4s1995 on Saturday 3rd January 14:59
Please don't get me wrong, i don't actually care what you do with your car, I'm pleased you like it, but don't be offended (if you are that is) when people comment on a public forum.

No thanks I have enough costs running my own cars e.g 10 tyres in the last 6 months for starters!
Just having a laugh fella, your not the first to dislike the plate biggrin

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Sunday 4th January 2015
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Robert Elise said:
They're light remember, and handling is wonderful. Most aren't as powerful as they look - because they look modern but are mostly 20-40 years old now. A great classic as a well sorted and maintained one will be an exhilarating drive too. i fancy a GT3 for the balance of looks of looks, performance and reliability. The non-turbos often get overlooked.

Edited by Robert Elise on Sunday 4th January 11:07
Previously owned Ford XRs, then onto RS 2000, Turbos then onto Chipped UK Impreza Turbo and finally 3.0 24v GTV, all I can say is that Esprit straight line performance is in a different league to all; 0..60 in 4.6 as standard is still pretty impressive today, as is a Audi S5 beating 0..100 of 11.4, handling is great, grip can be scary, ride is amazing giving the compromises needed for such a car. The major part for me is it is was a childhood dream to own one, this makes it special every time I drive it and makes me forgive it when it breaks biggrin

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Sunday 4th January 2015
quotequote all
Robert Elise said:
oh, i agree. And when you have a Lotus you don't even need the most power anyway as the chassis allows you to use all you've got.
But the non-turbo versions are far less powerful, maybe 200kgs (?) lighter and still wonderful cars in their own way. I'm just saying to the poster above or those new to Esprit, don't ignore NA versions because of seemingly slow figures.
Seeing yours just rekindles my own itch. Looks achingly gorgeous.
biggrin Never tried a NA version but I hear and their sales figures say they are very capable biggrin ,

s4s1995

Original Poster:

108 posts

181 months

Sunday 4th January 2015
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juddy said:
Wow this takes me back some years, you have a dump valve fitted to yours that I designed and sold back in the day. I think every Esprit in the uk was running one at some point. I had a S4 in the same colour for 2 years what a great car. I worked did most of the engine work and mods on Dermot Ohares Esprit S4 it was a monster. The good old Days !!

Great car and nice to see there still out there being used well done.

J.
biggrin thanks, while you are here it would be a shame not to utilise your experience; I'm looking at some uprated secondary injectors to compliment the ram air mod/KnN, De-Cat and freeflow exhaust. I have.......are these worth getting? http://www.fiveomotorsport.com/lucas-range-rover-g... ....I read that that the standard injectors are pants and when I get round to adding/if I ever add a PUK #6 Chip I'll need to ensure I have enough fuel to avoid running lean?